xx Preface to the First Edition
For all of these we offer our humble apologies. To ensure
the quality and accuracy of each contribution, at least two
independent reviewers critiqued each chapter. The peer re-
view process maintains its integrity through the anonymity
of the reviewers. Although we cannot acknowledge them
by name, we thank all the reviewers for their time and their
conscientious efforts.
We are also deeply indebted to the team at Academic
Press. Our executive editor, Frank Cynar, worked tirelessly
with us to conceptualize and execute the encyclopedia,
while allowing us to maintain the highest intellectual and
scientific standards. We thank him for his patience and for
his perseverance in seeing this volume through to comple-
tion. Frank’s assistants, Daniela Dell’Orco, Della Grayson,
Linda McAleer, Cathleen Ryan, and Suzanne Walters, kept
the entire process moving and attended to the myriad of de-
tails and questions that arise with such a large and complex
volume. Advice and valuable guidance came from Academic
Press’ director of major reference works, Chris Morris. Lori
Asbury masterfully oversaw the production and copy edit-
ing. To all of the people at Academic Press, we give our
sincere thanks.
Knowledge is not static. Science is a process, not a prod-
uct. Some of what is presented in this volume will inevitably
be out of date by the time you read it. New discoveries seem
to come every day from our colleagues using Earth-based
and orbiting telescopes, and from the fiotilla of new small
spacecraft that are out there adding to our store of knowl-
edge about the solar system. In this spirit we hope that you,
the reader, will benefit from the knowledge and understand-
ing compiled in the following pages. The new millennium
will surely add to the legacy presented herein, and we will
all be the better for it. Enjoy, wonder, and keep watching
the sky.Paul R. Weissman
Lucy-Ann McFadden
Torrence V. Johnson